Indore : Whenever it comes to Sirpur lake, most people think of birds. It’s a rectangular shaped lake located on the busiest Dhar road, competing well with Bilawali lake in terms of size. It has acquired international fame as one of the biggest natural habitat for birds.
But, wait before getting too excited as the lake has a darker side to it too; full of encroachments, silting, sewage flow, solid waste dumping and negligence of people and civic bodies.
It is divided in two parts known as Chhota Sirpur lake and Bada Sirpur lake. Smaller lake has continuous inflow of sewage water, while the bigger one has been shrinking rapidly.
“Yes, it is one of the biggest lakes in the city and natural habitat of thousands of birds. Bird lovers visit the lake from across the globe as it is the only place where they can watch birds so closely,” Padma Shri Bhalu Mondhe said.
One of the biggest lakes and natural habitat of birds in city, is succumbing to encroachments, negligence of residents and administration
He said that Indore Municipal Corporation has been developing the lake as a bird watching centre, however the work is comparatively slow then its actual requirement.
“Like all other lakes in the city, Sirpur is also facing problems of encroachment, solid waste dumping and others but it can be eliminated by tough decisions of administration and awareness among people. Many bird lovers come here to feed birds but usually leave plastic wastes behind,” Mondhe added.
Resident of Sirpur Praveen Shukla said that the lake was even bigger than its current area but encroachments ate it.
“It was developed by Holkar dynasty and was bigger in size earlier. Gradual encroachment is eating the lake and even affecting the nearby areas. Lake overflows in rainy season due to damaged embankment as well as encroachment by people from all sides,” he said.
Illegal colonies are mushrooming around the lake but administration is in slumber.
“It is not only killing the lake but even killing natural habitat of birds and other creatures. Lake is full of bio-diversity and it should be conserved for saving life,” another resident, Yunus Khan said.
Fishing is prohibited in the lake but one can do fishing anytime due to broken fencing and damaged embankment from south-west side.
“Administration must come ahead to save the lake to keep its significance as the natural habitat of fauna and flora,” Khan added.
Location : Sirpur, Dhar road
Area : 500 acres (approx)
Current submerged area : 150 acre (approx.)
Depth : 25 feet
Shape : Rectangular
Catchment : 3600 hectares (approx.)
Embankment : Clear, broken fencing
Birds which can be seen easily at the lake are egrets, cormorant, moorhen, spot bull, common coot, kingfisher, home duck and others.
“Lakes are not meant only for keeping groundwater level but it is the house to thousands of birds and creatures. It should be our first priority to conserve it for conserving life.” – Padma Shri Bhalu Mondhe, Photographer and environmentalist
“Sirpur lake must be conserved and its embankment should be constructed again. Lake overflows in rains and colonies near it turn into pools.” – Praveen Shukla , Resident
“Sirpur lake is one of the best places for bird watchers. It is the house to hundreds of birds but it is facing negligence of civic bodies and residents.” – Manoj Choudhary, Nature photographer
“Lakes provide groundwater, flora, fauna and much more. Conserving lakes must be on priority so that we can save our future.” – Sanjay Mishra, Resident
